Karen WALKER

Born and raised in the waterside city of Auckland, fashion designer and Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit recipient, Karen Walker, started her eponymous fashion label at the age of 18 with only NZ$100 in her pocket. Since then, the pioneering designer has established an international fashion empire — her designs have been shown across New York, London and Paris, donned by cultural icons such as Michelle Obama, Natalie Portman and Rihanna, and are available for retail in stores across 42 countries, including Barneys New York, Liberty London and Anthropologie. While creativity takes Karen around the globe, the through-and-through New Zealander has always called Auckland home. For our Aotearoa Country Special, Karen shares how travel feeds her creativity, the endless inspiration in Aotearoa’s natural beauty, and her most cherished Travel Gems to explore while in Auckland.